Sthaana-ashrama and Pesha Parvata Mahatmya

Shrunu Devi pravakshyaami Sthaanvaashrama vanam mahat, Yacchrutwaa muchyate jantuh Maha Paataka kotibhih/ (Maha Bhairava Deva then described the Mahima of Sthaanu Ashrama and this account for sure would provide relief to countless Manavas. In the days of yore, Sati Devi the illustrious daughter of Daksha Prajapati took to committed service to Maha Deva as he was engrossed in rigorous meditation for thousands of years without movement in the state of Samadhi). Sevaaparaahyabhutatra Chirandevi Maheshwari, Sthaanuvatsam shthito yatra Maheshastapai sthitah/ (Even as Shiva continued his Tapas as ‘Sthaanu’ or in the state of motionlessness, Maheshwari was unnerved and continued to assist in the tapas most faithfully and untiringly). Sthaanvaashramstatah prokto maha pataka naashanah/ (This place where the Tapas continued for centuries eventually turned out to be a popular spot as ‘Sthanvashrama’) Staanvaashrama sameepe tuyah snaanaayaatsura vandite, Sa yaati Shiva sadanam yatra gatwaana shochate/ (Sura Vandya Devi! The popularity of the Ashram became so intense that those who took their ‘shudda snaanas’or Sacred Baths yielded ready results of mental peace and instant fulfillment of their wishes, besides strong impulses of Shiva Loka Prapti ahead) Sthaanvaashrame tu yo Devi shraddham kritwaa vidhanatah,Pitarah tripti maa yaantishata kalpam na samshyah/(Those who performed Pitru Shraaddha-Tarpanas, the Pitru Devas attained contentment as evidenced by the tangible results reported) Maha paataka yukto vaayukto vaah upapaatakaih, Sthaanvaashrama Vane punye muchyate sarva kilbishaih/ (Persons who have committed Maha Paatakas or Upa Paatakas should be able to attain mukti by paying a visit to Sthaanaashrama and perform formal ‘Snaanas’ and ‘Jala paanaas’). Gavaam koti sahasrasya samyan daanasyamatphalam,Tatphalam kotirunitam snaatwaa Sthaanyaashrame jale/ ( That Punya which one could reap from the snaanas of Sthaaneshwara would equate the charity of thousand cows to a deserving Brahmana) Kurukshetre Prayaagecha Gangaa Saagara Sangame, Snatwaa yatphala maapnoti tat sthaanoddarshanaa Priye/ (Devi Parvati!Sthaanu darshana prapti is as assured as that of snaanas as attainable from Kuru Kshetra, Prayaga, Ganga Sagara Sangama). Sthaanaavaashrama sameepetusnaanam krutwaa vidhaanatah, Ashwamedhaadi yagjnaanaam godaanaanaamparam phalam/ (Sthaanvaashrama Snaanaas done as per prescribed vidhana are as purifying as Ashwamedha yagnas and Godaanas). Kshomam hiranyam vastram vaa paramam punyamapnuyaat, Devaarchanamatra kurvam tila tarpanamevacha, Japaschamuchyate jantuh Mahaa Pataka kotibhih/ Sthaanaashamam Bhaktya kurvan vaikilbishaapaham, Nakaroti Mahaa Snaananan daanavaam Jagadambike, Sayaati narakam ghoram janma janmani paatake/ (Daanas of silk clothes, gold or atleast Vastra daana would fetch far reaching phala at Sthaanaashrama where Devatarchana, Pitru tila tarpana, tapas and such other deeds of virtue yielding several times of phala compared to other Kshetras. But those who having visited there do not undertake any Dharma karyas like snaana, daana, japa, tarpanadis would get relieved from curses including experience of narakas.) Raakshasaacha Puraadevam darshanaarthamupaagataah, Devaih saadhamchamilitaah Sthaanvaashrame samantatah/ (In the past, both Devas and Rakshasas used to vie with each other in visiting the Ashrama) In fact, they used to compete with each others to seek Maha Deva’s darshana. Giryaarohana kaale tu Daityaah pishtaah Surottamaih, Pishtaa Daityaastatra gire leenaastraiva Sundari/ (Devi Sundari! On the occasions of ascending the Mountain, Devas used to harass Daityas and vice versa and having ascended the mountain many Daityas used to get absorbed and Devas were getting happy at the discomfiture and humilation of Daityas) Yasmin Girou Deva ganaih pishtaah Daityaah samutatah, Sa girih Paramodwaaram peshaakhyah pradhitobhuvi/ (The mountain which was pounded by devas and daityas alike had since called popularly as Pesha Parvata) Kurukshetre Parayaagecha Gangaa Saagara sangame, Snaanaadyat phalamaapnoti tat Peshasya tu darshanaat/ (The fruits of Kurukshetra, Prayaga and Gangaa sagara sangama snaanas fall far short of Pesha darshana!) Gireraarohane Devi yaakanto renubindavah, Taapanti Vaajapeyaani praapnotyeva na samshayah/ (Devi! The number of particles in ascending the Pesha Mountain might perhaps equate the quantum of performing the Vaajapeya yagna phala!) Naimishe cha Prayagecha Gangaa sagara sangame,Vaaranaasyaa shata guna sahasram kurujaangalaat/(Pesha parvata darshana would be hundred times larger than the Punya of Naimisharanya, Prayaga, Gaga sagara and Vaaranaasi put together!) Aarodhumicchati yastu Girim Devi samantatah, ‘Shri Shri Shri Shitikantheshu imam Mantram’ anusmaret/ (Devi! Those desirous of ascending the Pesha Parvata are advised to chant ‘Shri Shri Shri Shitikantha’Mantra not only avoid tiresomeness but to attain all round auspiciousness). Sa Brahma bhavanam yaati yatra gatwaana shobhate/ (Devotees with grit and determination who having ascended the Pesha Parvata are desirous of visiting Brahma Bhavana and are indeed blessed as that Unique Place is totally devoid of worldly concerns). Mahanti Meru tulyaani Paapaani yadi Sundari, Taanyatya darshanaa Devam naashamaa yaanti tat kshanaat/ (Sundari! The kind of Patakas that a Being might perpetrate as equal to the heights of Meru Parvata would simply evaporate instantly once Pesha Parvata darshana is accomplished!) Sayati cha Shiva sthaanam yatra naasti kritaa kritam, Vidhina yo Naro Devi Pesha maaruhate Narah/ (Devi! Those who could finally ascend and reach the top are as good as having reached Shiva Sthaanam as they leave behind all tribulations, and nothing else indeed is unattainable in Life). Pesha Darsahana maatrena Bhutaah Pretaah Pishachakaah, Daakinyaadyaascha Sarvaasthaa naashamaayanti tatkshanaat!(The darshana of Pesha Parvata’s top would annihilate Bhuta, Preta Pishacha, Daakini and such other evil Shaktis at once) Namaskaroti Deveshi Punyam Pesha girim Narah, Aaruhya Punyamaapnoti Satyam Satyam Varaanane/ (Deveshi! Varaanane! A person who would indeed ascend the Pesha Parvata is such that is worthy of salutation; this indeed is the Truth, the Truth and Truth again!) Iti proktaa maya Devi! Peshasya Mahimaa gireh, Shrutonudhyaatah pathitah Mahaa Pataka naashanah/ Such is the Mahima of Pesha Mountain that happens to one as a destroyer of Maha Patakas.

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Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by
V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager,
India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India
The author can be contacted at raovdn@yahoo.co.in